Hood catch



l'. s. KEI-:LER

April 26, 1932.

HOOD CATCH Filed June l5, 1951 Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES l?A 'T'EN'T' OFFICE IsAAC s. KEELER, on GRAND RAPIDS, M rorIIGAN, Assrenon To KEELER BRASS COMPANY, or GRAND nAgPrns MrcnreAN Hoon CATCH Application led .Tune 15,

The main object of the invention is to provide a hood fastener which may be easily engaged and disengaged and at the same time holds the hood in closed position under sub- 5 stantial stress.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure having these advantages in which the parts of the catch, except the handle, are disposed on the inner side of the hood. U A further object is to provide a hood fastener having a slot closure associated with the handle sothat when the catch is in the latched position, this closure effectively closes the opening in the escutcheon. h

A still further object is to provide an improved spring keeper for hood fasteners.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the de scrption to follow. rI he invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of parts of an automobile hood structure with my improvements embodied therein.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents an automobile hood or closure member mounted for swinging movemyent and 2 a part of the vehicle body.

My improved fastener or catch comprises a. latch or escutcheon plate 3 having a slot 4, therein, the closure member 1 having a slot 5 registering therewith.

The plate 3 carries inwardly and upwardly projecting spaced catch members 6 having downwardly and outwardly inclined upper surfaces 7 which constitute the keeper engaging part of the catch. A lever-like latch member 8 is pivoted at 9 between these members 6 so that the upper edge 10 of the latching lever lies, when the parts are in engaged position, in substantially the plane of the keeper engaging surfaces 7 constituting in effect an extension thereof.

The latching member 8 is provided with a 1931. Serial No. 544,447.

handle portion 11 which projects through the slot l in the latch plate 3. The latching member has an upwardly curved tip 12 to facilitate engagement with the keeper 13 so that the inner end of the latching member 55 may be swung downwardly to pass the keeper and then swung upwardly to lift and guide the keeper into engagement with the catch at the inner side of the latching member pivot 9.

The keeper 13 preferably comprises a supporting portion 14, a looped portion 15, and a keeperl portion 16 which extends from the looped portion 15 parallel to the supporting portion 14. The supporting portion 14 is supported by a bracket 17 having a socket 18 which engages the inner end of the supporting portion 14. The bracket 17 is mounted on the part 2 of the vehicle body by bolts 19.

, The keeper is of spring or resilient material so that it engages the catch under stress when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, acting not only to retain them in closed position but to draw the hood .or kother closure inwardly owing to the engagement of 75 `the resilient keeper member with the inclined surface of the catch.

A slotted .cover or finishing plate 2O preferably of rustless metal is mounted on the latch or escutcheon plate 3 by means of bolts 21. The handle portion 11 `is provided with a casing or sheath 22 of the same material `which is provided with an upwardly extending inwardly `flanged escutcheon closure portion 23 which -closesinto the registering slots in the closure member and latch late.

To release the catch, the handle .portion 11 is swung upwardly and at the same time the closure is drawn outwardly so that the catch may be withdrawn from the keeper. The latch member may be very easily en* engaged and disengaged and at the same time the parts are held under substantial stress.

My improved fastener is not only 'very easily engaged but it may at the same time be tensioned so that the hood is held dwn- -wardly and drawn inwardly thereby effectively preventing rattling. Further, `the parts are concealed -so that the structure is very attractive in appearance.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by-Letters Patent, is:

l. In a structure of the classvdescribed, the combination with a swinging closure member, of a looped spring keeper disposed hori- Zontally adjacent the inner side of said closure member, a slotted latch plate mounted on said closure member and providedV with an inwardly projecting catch having an inclined keeper engaging part, a latching member pivotally mounted on said catch near the top of said keeper engaging part and having a handle portion extending through said latch plate, a. slotted finishing plate mounted on said latch member, and a casing carried by said handle portion having an upwardly extending inwardly flanged slot closure for said slotted latch plate.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a swinging closure member, of a spring keeper disposed adjacent the inner side of said closure member, a latch plate mounted on said closure member and provided with an inwardly projecting catch having an inclined keeper engaging part, a latching member pivotally mounted on Said catch near the top of said keeper engaging part and having a handle portion extending through said latch plate, a iinishing plate mounted on said latch member, and a casing carried by said handle portion having an upwardly extending slot closure for said latch late. p 3. In a structure of the class described, the` combination with a closure member having a slot therein, of a latch plate secured to said closure member having a slot registering with the slot therein, said plate having a rearwardly extending catch, a latching member pivoted to said catch having a handle extending through said slots, anda casing car- Y ried by said handle having a closure -for said registering slots, whereby when said latching member is in latched position said closure completely ills said slot.

4:. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a closure member, of a latch plate secured to said closure member having a slot therein, a latching member having a handle extending through said slot, and a casing carried by said handle having a closure for said slot, whereby when said latching member is in latched position said closure completely ills said slot.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ISAAC S. KEELER. 

